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[ This is the highlight of their date— the observatory! By now, Ayaka's procured yet another brochure, talking about the sights in Coldreach. The skies don't get as colourful like it does in the Winter Segment, but given how it's only 6 PM or so and it's gotten very dark, the stars shine very brightly in this part of the city.

Without hesitation, she takes her beau's hand as they enter the observatory together. Without much to see beyond stairs and walls until they get up to the last floor, where a giant telescope rests in the centre, and doors around it so that they could go to the deck outside. ]

It's so big! [ (Michael Scott voice) That's what she said. ] Have you ever seen anything like this before, Cloud?

[ Surely something like this must exist in Gaia. Surely!! ]

Not in person, no...

[ Suffice to say that while he's not starstruck over it, there is a sense of wonder and curiosity in his eyes as he can't stop looking at the massive telescope at the centre of the top floor. There are a couple other people venturing and watching the accruing stars from the railings of the outer deck, whilst an Astronomist keeps a close distance from the telescope. People are free to use it with guidance! But it's no toy. Thus why someone is watching it at all times when these doors are open.

Turning back to Ayaka at his side, he does remember...! ]

Apparently there's a place people go while studying Planetology back home though. [ And frankly? He might have blanked on the name it's been so long, if it hadn't been from an unintentional nudge from Tifa. ] Cosmo Canyon.

[ There aren't that many people, but Ayaka sticks to Cloud a bit more, her hold of his hand tightening a little as soon as they're up and out in the open. It's nothing against anyone here! Just... she'd rather not have too much attention on them. Especially at this time. ]

Cosmo Canyon... [ She repeats the name softly, committing it to memory. If he hasn't been there, he probably doesn't know what it's like! Is it really a canyon? But maybe he can answer this curious question— ] What makes it a destination people go to when they study?

If I were a betting man? The observatory...

[ He looks back at the telescope towards the centre of the room. ]

And...they say that you can get a better understanding of the Planet out there.

[ That's very vague, Cloud... But okay! She takes it as the observatory being the highlight, then.

Looking up at the telescope, she wonders what they might see. The brochure's listed down various constellations that are easy to spot, and they might even see some planets if their eyes are keen. ]

Shall we try it?

[ Or they can go out and see the deck, first. ]

[ Just wait until the new year, Ayaka. He'll explain it better then when Rebirth drops. ]

Why not?

[ He half shrugs, squeezing her hand as he takes the lead towards the telescope. As they approach, the staff member tending to it greets them with a little wave and smile.

"Hi there! Is this your first time at Coldreach Observatory?" ]

It is. [ Hand on his hip. ] Mind if we try out the telescope?

[ "Absolutely! Who'd like to go first?" He can't recall hearing stories of Inazuma having an observatory. Nothing like this, anyway. So he has to wonder, looking down to his girlfriend at his side. ]

Go for it.

[ Ayaka nods, acknowledging that she'll go first before she lets go of his hand and follows the staff member closer to the telescope. It seems there's a script already for these sorts of things, and Ayaka is oriented on how to use it, what to look out for in terms of constellations.

She asks if there are shooting stars that she and her beau would be able to see, but unfortunately, she's met with some unfortunate news. Now isn't the time for them, but perhaps in another month or so!

It's definitely a new world when Ayaka takes a look through the lens. At first, she's not quite sure what she's seeing! It's just a solid colour at first, but when her eye begins to focus, she gets to see that it's not a solid colour, but a portion of the sky! It's not even blue, but because she's able to see the stars up close, she can see the light and how it mixes with the colours in the sky. ]

It is a string of stars, like a necklace...

[ She whispers those words to herself in amazement, taking a few seconds to take it all in and remember what she saw so she can look at the brochure momentarily to look for what it is! ]

A string of stars... [ Cloud's arms cross as he watches on with a calm little smile. ] Sounds like a line for a poem.

[ Cloud, meanwhile, follows along with his own brochure, if she tells him if there's anything that pops out at her! Giving her enough space whilst staying by her side, the staff member can't help but watch on politely yet with a sense of satisfaction. It wasn't every day outsiders took an interest in Astronomy! And...they look happy. That's all they could ask for when it came to anybody visiting these parts. ]

You must see what I mean, Cloud.

[ It is absolutely beautiful!! To think, with just the naked eye, the sky looks so dark, but with this telescope? It's almost as if it's daytime still with how bright and colourful the sky is.

She pulls away and gets up, so she can allow Cloud to look through the telescope. ]

You should be able to see it right away.

[ The string of stars! Meanwhile, Ayaka checks out the brochure to see if there's anything about this... The moon has craters, a bright red planet, ah- there it is! ]

It says... it is called a nebula.

?

[ Oh! It's his turn? Nodding, he steps in to take her place, only offering a glance to the staff member as he acknowledges that he was paying attention to their instructions when helping Ayaka. He's used a telescope before! Just...nothing on this scale. A hundred times over; that's just how impressive this one is. ]

Is Cosmos Canyon's like this...?

[ Spoken with introspective, he bends down to get a proper look into the telescope. And for where Ayaka's left it off? He's not the most expressive of people most days, but he does react. Hard to hear, the soft inhale he take as his eyes widen at the sight. A colorful display...cosmic dust and brilliant starlight that makes it feel like its own reality. Far removed from anything he thought he knew. The nebula is gorgeous. Coming from someone who liked stargazing when thinking to himself, a hobby he absolutely returned to thanks to Ayaka's presence, this was more impressive than he thought. ]

This is crazy.

[ He moves the telescope carefully, the scope zooming across the sea of stars as he attempts to zoom in beyond. Stars...stars as far as the eye can see. Until he thinks he's come across something. Constellations were for the ordinary eye. But these? ]

Is that...a galaxy?

[ He steps back, unaware of the smile on his face as he nods towards Ayaka to come back and see. He's only seen them from pictures in books. ]

Do you see it? There's a shower of colours in the sky— it all looks so beautiful!

[ Even the photo on the brochure is captivating, and her excitement definitely bleeds through her voice. Her smile doesn't waver even as she continues to watch Cloud look through the telescope, because if he's enjoying this and has his breath taken away, then that makes things even better.

It's just a few seconds before Cloud steps back that her smile calms, as she stands there in disbelief at how... normal this all feels. It is almost foreign, almost forgotten. . . Days like these, golden and bright, are what she needs most at this time. ]

Ah- really? [ She must shake these thoughts away for now, because she's getting distracted! Cloud may have caught her lost in her thoughts for a moment, though, before she's closer to him now so she can be the one to take a peek this time. ] This is beautiful. . .

[ Of course, of course, her world really has been so small. She's never seen anything like this! So much so that her hold on the brochure tightens a little, crumpling it slightly. ]

Beyond that are other planets...

[ Whether it was her duties as the Shirasagi Himegimi, and the strife Inazuma once faced (and continues to behind the scenes), or Cloud's undetermined road he faces with everyone back home... These really were halcyon days that were a blessing they may have never had if it weren't for meeting one another. If it weren't for worlds beyond theirs having other plans for them. ]

Think one of 'em could be Teyvat? Or Gaia? [ He pauses after asking that. It's a daydream. But he also realizes, ] ... Either Gaia.

[ His shoulders give a gentle shake as he tries not to laugh. For some reason, that nearly cracked him. ]

That is a possibility, isn't it?

[ It could be anything. There are limitless worlds out there, ones that may sound absolutely silly, but could possibly be real! ]

Perhaps it could be a world where tea flow from the rivers, and the ground is made up of chocolate.

[ He doesn't crack from his little idea there? She does. This is it— Ayaka at her safest, where she can be herself, with that childlike innocence that she put away due to the need to grow up. ]

[ See, that? Sounds childish. It sounds outlandish. Ultra daydreamy. But here's the thing. ]

Weren't for all the shenanigans we got put through in Nippon, that'd almost sound like a dream.

[ But he nods his head all the same as he encourages her thoughts! Noticing how she was crumpling the brochure up in her hand slightly, he steps in and gently tug tugs it from her. ... All so he can replace it with his hand, giving it a squeeze. ]

Can't say much surprises me anymore.

A world where there are only Clouds living in it!

[ Okay, now that's just straight up crazy. Ayaka, go home. She's laughing though, so amused by the idea of all these grumpy blonds walking around. Farmer Cloud, Emperor Cloud, Commissioner Cloud, Delinquent Cloud, Princess Cloud... ]

Hehe... I'd love to visit.

[ And she'd be hiding her laugh behind a hand, if Cloud hadn't taken it. But maybe that's for the better, because he'd be able to see her genuine smile. Were they still in Nippon, the sakura blooms would be a lot brighter here, trickles of electricity making it seem more brilliant due to her excitement.

There's a couple who approaches though, and they ask if they can check out the telescope! Ayaka decides that they can just come back later, and ops to give them way. ]

Really now. ... They all the same?

[ He humors her. Whether she actually tells him or not, Cloud doesn't mind. Just as he wasn't aware of how much he'd started smiling today, he's caught by her own genuine grin. It's the look of someone who didn't smile out of courtesy. Or smiled out of contentment with a pleasant conversation over tea back at her estate. This...was the smile of a girl that didn't need to work hard to win his heart. She had it a long time ago. She took a piece of it from the very first day they met. He just hadn't realized it yet.

Ultimately, Cloud does comply when another couple approaches asking if they can check the telescope soon. That was fine by him! Because while it wasn't pitch black outside yet, the skies were clear, and the lack of light pollution made the world above them all the easier to witness. Hand in hand with Ayaka then, they make their way out to the deck. All of Coldreach was laid out for them to see. He leans against the railing beside her, as the little cottages and treehouses start lighting up as families and travelers alike start to settle in for the night. ]

Kinda takes me back...

[ They talk about this little Cloud planet on the way out to the deck. They are all the same, yes. But some Clouds are girls, some are boys, some are animals— this is a very weird planet, but Ayaka sounds absolutely serious as she describes all of it.

Once they find a more secluded spot though, where they can look up at the night sky and the view below without much noise and away from the other onlookers, the cue to take in the moment is taken. Less Cloud planet talk, and more about this— everything.

She leans on his arm, if he lets her, eyes set on the night sky. ]

I still can't believe it, sometimes... [ They talked about eating watermelon with salt, and to watch the meteor shower and make a wish. Ayaka didn't think that night would ever end up that way. She never thought a night like that could ever happen. ]

Do you think we can make a wish, even though there are no falling stars?

Yeah...

[ As for her query... He already had his wish come true. He already fulfilled it. He was going to hold it and cherish that wish for as long as he was able. Though he has an idea. ]

Why not? [ He joins her in stargazing, the sky holding a navy hue as it teeters on the brink of giving way to the darkness of a starry night. Her touch is a comfort to him. Even moreso now that any form of contact was amplified here. Intimately, innocently, all of it was welcome and encouraged in the realm of Ellipsa. Suffice to say, Cloud was never going to have a problem with lack of contact. Especially when he had everything he could ask for right here beside him. ] 'Cept instead of falling stars...

[ A beat. Two beats. Then a small hum. ]

Mm. The brightest. We wish on the brightest star we can find.

The brightest star? [ Ah! She gets on the tips of her toes now, a bit more alert. She must try and find the brightest star so that she can make a wish upon it.

There are so many stars up in the sky. Every single one looks so bright and so big... ]

That one— [ Wait, no... She sees another one that is much, much brighter!! ]
There, ah- but that's—

[ SO MANY STARS!! She will never be able to make a wish at this point. . . And so, she settles on one that she particularly has her eyes on, still on the tips of her toes, looking very, very determined to keep her gaze on a particular bright star far, far away. >:(!!!!!

HNNNNNNGHHHHHH AYAYA WISH ]

[ Her wish— rather, if this star would let her— wishes are fairly simple.

She wants her family and friends to be happy and safe at all times. She doesn't want anything bad to befall Ayato or Zack ever again; she wishes for Thoma's smile to never fade; and she wishes for Cloud's memories moving forward to always be good ones. No more tragedies, no more heartaches... he doesn't deserve it all.

That's when her smile falters, her heels meeting the floor once again.

She wishes that she could provide happiness to everyone: that she could make them smile, protect them, and keep them safe. Just as they have with her. ]

I wish...

[ She wishes Zack, Cloud, Thoma, or Ayato would never have to feel this way— unable to help those they care about, immature, inadequate, and helpless. Just let it be her who has to work on these things. The pain that weighs in her heart in knowing that Thoma was hurting, and she wasn't there for him... the pain in not being able to help anyone hurts so much. And for the past few weeks now, it is this very pain that's wounded her, drained her energy, taken away some of that brilliance in her eyes.

She never wants anyone else to experience this. ]

Edited (added stuff) 2023-07-11 02:09 (UTC)

[ Cloud, whilst he's searching in earnest, doesn't seem as hardset as her, considering the way she murmurs to herself as she's determined to find the right star to wish upon. And here, as the stars grow more brilliant with each passing minute and the skies turn darker, the ambiance of the forestry and quieter way of life below them, it's just the two of them for now. A moment wherein they can discover more. Face what it is they want. Seek a new piece of the future for themselves if their wishes are to come true.

He got one of his most important ones fulfilled already. But...now that he had all of his memories back, what else had opened up to him? What else could he strive towards? ]

...

[ The truth is...he still wasn't so certain if he could make the right wish when it came to what was going on back home. Not yet. A doubt he still harbors, but it's one that he and the others would need to shoulder together, so that they may better overcome them. Be that as it may, that didn't mean that Cloud didn't have something worth wishing for anymore. Just as his lips part to speak under his breath, he senses Ayaka shifting slightly at his side. Until her heels meet the floor...and her smile gone as her words fade into the ether. A light frown mars his lips as he looks down towards her. ]

Ayaka?

[ What's wrong? ]

[ Ayaka hears her name, and she snaps back to reality, yet the weight that's pulling her down remains. Her eyes meet Cloud's and she blinks, her lashes catching something wet, and she realises she must turn away immediately.

And so, she does. ]

I apologise, I was just... m- making a wish...

[ She knows she's in a safe space with Cloud, that she could tell him anything, and he would respond without bias or prejudice. He would listen, and still treat her like an equal while doing so. There is shame in feeling this way, however, because the reason why she feels this way is her own fault. She doesn't want him to see her this way.

Yet, that very same safety and comfort may be the reason why Ayaka is only able to externalise these feelings of helplessness that she's felt for almost a month now. She shakes her head as she brushes away the tears that begin to fall with the back of her hand, her back facing the blond. ]

Please. Please don't look. . .

[ Much as she'd like to try, she can't seem to stop herself from crying now. Soft muffled noises of controlled sobbing, and she gasps in an attempt to catch her breath. ]

[ For a moment, he feels frozen. Unknowing whether or not to defy what she's telling him to face her. To be the one who swore to catch tears that dared fall from her face. And yet, as she softly sobs and attempts to recompose herself, crying, Cloud grits his teeth without her knowing it as he struggles with himself. Hold her. Console her. Comfort her. The amount of suffering she endured as a bystander was staggering. Strong as she was, neither one of them were able to prevent what happened. He's no mindreader, and yet...he can't bring himself to ask why she's crying either.

As if he already knew. As if he knew exactly what needed to be done. This was an attempt for the two to just...get away. Regroup. Learn how to breath again. Come back stronger than before, together, for those that matter. And yet...what of Cloud? What of his emotions? His feelings? The revelations that came to light as of recent. Something he was powerless to stop. Somebody he failed to save. Somebody Ayaka and he both couldn't save. They can't change what's already happened- what's already shaped and defined them. And as fortunate as they were with the fact that in this realm, death wasn't permanent... ]

...

[ The truth is; they're both hurting. They both feel like they've fallen down. But right now? It's about learning how to get back up. So instead of reaching out for her yet... Instead of calling her name and putting his hands upon her shoulders so she may fall into his embrace...

He doesn't look. Instead, Cloud stays by her side in silence, turning towards the railing as he looks up at the night sky. A cool breath in through his nose...and softly out, pensive. ]

It'll come true. [ A beat. ] Your wish.

[ A wish he may not know word-for-word, but he's formulating an idea in his head. His gaze wanders the stars. Searching... Searching... ]

The people that work the hardest are the ones that make them real. No matter how many hurdles we stumble over along the way.

And sometimes...we don't even know what to wish for. Not until we find a reason to. [ His voice becomes quieter. If only these words weren't just for Ayaka. They're meant for nobody else. For him. For her. ] Even if the reason hurts.

So if we're making wishes... We don't hafta make them come true on our own.

[ Should Ayaka turn around at any point by now to face him, she'll see that he's no longer watching the stars on high anymore. He's keeping his eyes on her from now on.

Because the brightest star isn't up there. ]

I'll protect your wish, too.

[ She's always been right in front of him. ]

Edited 2023-07-22 06:36 (UTC)

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2/3 i lied

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